Brake cooling means



y 1949. J. J. BL OOMFI ELD 2,47L5

BRAKE COOLING MEANS Original Filed July l 2, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I l5 l7 l8 INVENTOR.

JOHN J. BLOOMFIELD Agent J. J. BLOOMFIELD BRAKE COOLING MEANS May 31, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 12, 1943 mmvron JOHN J. BLOOMFIELD Abefn Patented May 31, 1949 BRAKE COOLING Means John J. Bloomfield, Burbank, Calif., assignor to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation,

Burbank, Calif.

Original application July 12, 1943, Serial No.

Divided and this i 1945, Serial No. 600,946

This invention relates to brake mechanism and relates more particularly to means for dissipating from such mechanisms, the heat generated as a result of the braking action. A general object of the invention is to provide a brake mechanism or system embodying practical, de-

pendable and effective means for dissipating the heat generated during the braking operation.

,This application is a division of application, Serial No. 494,330, filed July 12, 1943, issued as United States Letters Patent 2,409,099, October 8, 1946.

The present invention, while not confined to any given application or field, is well suited for embodiment in the brake systems of airplane landing wheels. Accordingly, the invention will herein be referred to as used in such systems, it being understood that this is merely one typical application and is not to be construed as limiting either the scope or the application of the invention.

When the brakes of airplane landing wheels are operated, high temperatures are created in the brake mechanisms, producing rapid deterioration of the expander tubes. brake lining, tires,

etc. Only a small portion of the heat energy generated is immediately dissipated by atmospheric convection and radiation, and the balance is absorbed by the brake mechanism with damaging results.

An important object of this invention is to provide a brake mechanism embodying means for supplying a liquid coolant to the brake drum, shoes and adjacent parts to effect a rapid and This feature avoids the unnecessary delivery of the coolant during taxiing and similar operations when the brake is employed but is not subject to overheating.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brake cooling means that requires little or no modification of the conventional landing gear, brake and wheel structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a application June 22, 1

9 Claims. (Cl. 188-264) 2 brake cooling means of the eneral character referred to in which the pressure for delivering the water or coolant to the brake parts is generated by a pump operated by rotation of the landing wheel and the discharge of the water is timedor controlled by the pressure in thehydraulic brake operating line.

A further object of the invention is to provide view 0f the coolant discharge manifold;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of an end portion or the wheel assembly illustrating the coolant pump of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a. diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic pressure system of the brake and the coolant supply system associated therewith.

In the drawings there is illustrated a portion of a typical landing wheel and brake assembly. This assembly includes a relatively stationary axle it and a brake supporting structure secured to the axle. Said structure includes a hub or collar ll fixed or keyed to the axle It and an annular carrier I2 secured to the collar H by bolts I 3. The outer portion of the carrier l2 supports a rim I l. In the case illustrated, the rim it has two continuous channels it whose side walls are provided with pairs of opposing lugs l6. Segmental shoes ll of friction material are engaged in the channels I 5 and the end portions of the shoes are reduced in width to cooperate with the lugs I 5. Inwardly bowed leaf springs 18 have their ends anchored in the lugs l6 and bear inwardly against the reduced end portions of the shoes ll to yieldingly urge the shoes inwardly. Expander tubes IQ of flexible resilient material such as synthetic rubber, are provided within the channels l5 at the inner sides of the series of shoes IL A manifold fitting 2t! communicates with the interior of the expander tubes 19 and fluid pressure is supplied to the fitting to expand the tubes as will be more fully described.

A wheel assembly 2| is supported on the axle In by bearings 22 and the rim of the wheel carries the usual tire 23. A brake drum 24 is bolted or otherwise fixed to an end of the wheel assembly 2|, and extends axially therefrom to be in sur-.

rounding relation to the brake shoes I1. Upon the delivery of fluid pressure to the interiors of the expander tubes l8, the tubes expand and force the shoes |1 radially outward into braking engagement with the drum 28. The structure thus far described may be considered as conventional.

The brake. cooling means of the invention may be said to comprise generally means 25 for supplying coolant to the brake parts, and means 26 operable by rotation of the wheel 2| for delivering coolant under pressure to the means 25.

The means 25 serves to spray or discharge the coolant onto the brake drum 24, shoes l1, etc., and includes an annular tubular manifold 21 secured to the internal surface of the rim It. It is preferred to position the manifold 21 in the radialplane which extends between the sets of shoes l1. A plurality of circumferentially spaced nozzle tubes 28 is provided onthe manifold 21. The tubes 28 extend outwardly through openings in the rim l4 and are received between the two rows or series of shoes. The outer ends of the discharge tubes 28 are spaced from the active faces ofthe brake shoes l1 and the internal surface of the drum 24 to permit an effective dispersion of the discharged coolant. The cross sectional dimension of the fiuid passage in the manifold 21 is greater than the aggregate crosssectional areas of the passages in the tubes 28 to insure a substantially uniform delivery of coolant to the several tubes.

The means 26 serves to supply the coolant under pressure to the spray means or discharge means 25. and in accordance with the invention, is associated with and governed by the hydraulic brake operating system. The brake cooling means may be employed with hydraulic brake operatin systems of various makes andtypes, and is not to be considered as confined to use with the typical operating system illustrated. The hydraulic system shown in Figure 4 includes a liquid supply line 38 leading from a reservoir 3| to a master cylinder 32. A line 33 extends from the master cylinder to the above described manifold 28 so as to communicate with the expander tubes l8. The pressure line 33 communicates with the inner or forward end of the cylinder 32 and ports 35 and 36 leading'from the supply line 30 communicate with th cylinder at longitudinally spaced points. A piston 38 operates in the cylinder 32 and carries a rod 31 which extends from the rear end of the cylinder. An operating head 38 is provided on the rod 31 and a spring 48 is arranged under compression between the head 38 and the cylinder 32 to. normally urge the rod outwardly so that the piston 38 occupies the rear portion of the cylinder.

When the piston rod 31 is actuated inwardly, the piston 38 is moved past the port 35 to trap a body of liquid in the forward portion of the cylinder opening and upon continued movement of the piston, the liquid in the cylinder, the line 33, and the expander tubes 8, is put under pressure. This results in expansion of the tubes '|8 which actuate the brake shoes l1 outwardly against the drum 24 to effect the braking action.

In accordance with the invention, the means 26 for supplying coolant under pressure to the discharge means 25 includes a pump operated by rotation of the wheel 2|. The pump may be of any preferred or selected type. In the drawings I have shown a gear pump having a casing housed within the outer portion of the tubular axle I8.

A cap 8| is threadedly secured to the end portion head section 84 is arranged at the inner face of the gear. Spaced bolts or screws 85 may serve to secure the assembly of the section 82 and section 84 to the cap 8|. A shaft 86 enters the outer end of the section 82 and a gear 81 is keyed or otherwise fixed on the shaft to mesh with the internal gear 83. An inlet or low pressure port 88 is provided in the cap section 84' and a high pressure port 89 is provided in the section, the ports communicating with the interior of the pump chamber at diametrically opposite points. The gear pump just described is of a well known typ it being understood that other equivalent or similar pumps may be employed if desired.

In accordance with the invention, the pump described above is driven or operated upon rotation of the landing wheel 2|. The .wheel rotates during the landing of the craft and this rotation is utilized to supply water under pressure to the manifold 21 through the medium of the pump. A hub cap 88 is fixed on the adjacent end of-the wheel 2| and the shaft 86 of the pump is operatively connected with the hub cap so that the gear 81 rotates with the wheel.- It is preferred to provide an overload clutch 8| between the pump shaft 86 and the hub cap 88 to save the pump from excessive torque upon sudden rotation of the wheel 2|, and to save the pump from injury in the event water freezes in the pump or pump lines. A stub shaft 82 is fixed to the hub cap 88 and projects inwardly toward the shaft 86 in alignment therewith.v The friction plate elements of the clutch 8| are secured to the opposing ends of the aligned shafts 86 and 82. The overload clutch 8| may be spring loaded and may b of.

, any well known type.

the brake mechanism. The container 83 may be I arranged in any suitable location. A conduit or line 84 extends from the container 83 to the low pressure port 88 of the pump. A pressure responsive valve V controls the water supply line 84. The valve V is responsive to or operated by the pressure in the aforementioned line 33 which leads from the master cylinder 32 of the hydraulic brake system.

The valve V may be of the diaphragm or of the cylinder and piston type. As illustrated, the valve V has a cylinder 85 and a piston 86 operable in the cylinder. A port or groove 81 is provided in the piston 86 to allow the flow of fluid through the supply line 84 when the piston 86 is in a given position. A spring 88 is arranged under compression against the inner end of the piston 86 and normally holds the piston 86 in a position where the groove 81 is out of alignment with the line 84 so that the line is normally closed. A pipe or line 88 leads from the pressure line 33 of the hydraulic brake system and communicates with the outer end of the cylinder 86 so that the piston 86 is subjected to the pressures developed in the master cylinder 32. The spring 88 may be designed to resist any given pressure. In practice the spring resists movement of the piston 86 until a substantial braking action has occurred by reason of the development of considerable pressure in the master cylinder 82: Accordingly, the valve V remains closed to prevent the delivery of coolant or water to the pump until the maximum braking action is approached, whereupon the valve opens ,toallow the delivery of water to the pump, which in turn, supplies the water under pressure to the discharge tubes 28.

A conduit or line I00 leads from the high pressure port. 09 of the pump to the manifold 21. In the construction illustrated the axle I0 is tubular and the lines 94 and I00 extend through the side from the pump to-the inner end of the axle.

In the operation of the apparatus, the valve V is normally closed and the pump is normally idle. In this connection, it is to be observed that water will not be trapped or contained within the lines 04 and I00 to be subject to freezing. Upon landing of the craft, the wheel 2| is rotated and the gear pump put into operation. However, as the valve V is closed, the pump cannot deliver water under pressure to the discharge manifold 21.

' when the brakes are applied, the initial pressures developed in the master cylinder 32 will be insufficient to overcome the spring 98 and the valve Vis not opened until high or maximum braking pressures are developed. When such pressures are developed, the valve piston 96 is moved to a position where the groove 91 allows the flow of water. from the container 93 through the line This water is pumped to the manifold 21 under pressure by the pump. The water pumped to the manifold 21 is discharged from the tubes 28 to cool the drum 24, shoes I! and other brake parts subject to overheating. When the operating pressure is removed from the piston 38 of the master cylinder 32, the pressures are relieved in the hydraulic brake system and the spring 98 restores the Piston 96 to the closed position so that a the water is no longer delivered to the pump.

Having described only a typical form of the invention, I'do not wish to be limited to the specific water supply means, a pump Operable to deliver water under pressure to said manifold, a conduit for conducting water from said supply means to the pump, and a valve in said conduit responsive to the pressure in said system to open when said pressure reaches a given valve.

2. In apparatus for use with landing gear having a landing wheel, the combination of a drum on the wheel having an internal braking surface, friction means operable into cooperation with the internal surface of the drum to brake rotation of the wheel; brake cooling means including an annular manifold within the drum having spaced means for discharging water against said surface, a water supply, and a pump driven by the wheel for pumping water from said supply to the water discharging means. a

3. In brake apparatus for use with landing gear having a landing wheel, the combination of a drum on the wheel having an internal braking surface, friction means operable into cooperation with said surface to brake rotation of the wheel and a hydraulic pressure system for operating the friction means; brake cooling means including an annular manifold within the drum having spaced nozzles for discharging water against the drum. a water supply conduit, a pump for pumping water from said conduit to the manifold, a drive between the pump and wheel whereby rotation of the wheel operates thepump, and a valve in said conduit controlled by the pressure in said system to open only upon the development ofagiven pressure in said system.

4. In combination with a brake mechanism having a drum presenting an internal braking surface, friction means for cooperating with said surface of the drum and a hydraulic pressure system operable to develop pressure for operating the friction means; a cooling system comprising an annular manifold within the drum having spaced discharge means for discharging coolant onto said surface of the drum, pump means for supplying coolant under pressure to said discharge means, and means responsive to the pressures developed in said system for controlling the delivery of coolant to the pump means.

'5. In combination with a wheel, friction elements for braking rotation of the wheel, brake cooling means including means fordischarging coolant at the friction elements to cool the same, and means actuated by rotation of the wheel for pumping coolant to the last named means for discharge therefrom.

6. In combination with a wheel, friction elements having engaging friction surfaces for braking rotation of the wheel and a system for developing hydraulic pressure for operating the friction elements; cooling means comprising means for discharging coolant against said surfaces of the friction elements, pump means actuated by the wheel upon rotation of the same for pumping coolant to the discharge means for discharge therefrom, and means for supplying coolant to the pump means including a normally system for developing hydraulic pressure for operating the friction elements; cooling means comprising means for discharging coolant at the friction elements, pump means associated with the wheel to be actuated upon rotation of the wheel for pumping coolant to the discharge means for discharge therefrom, and means for supplying coolant to the pump means including a coolant supply line for carrying coolant to the pump means, a pressure responsive valve in said line, and means for imposing the pressure developed in the hydraulic pressure system upon said valve to open the valve.

8. In combination with a wheel, friction elements for braking rotation of the wheel and a system for developing hydraulic pressure for operating the friction elements; cooling means comprising means for discharging coolant at the friction elements, gear pump means associated with the wheel to be operated thereby upon rota tion of the wheel for pumping coolant to said discharge means for discharge therefrom, a coolant supply conduit for conveying coolant to the pump means, and valve means in said conduit controlled by the pressure in said system to open only upon the development of a given pressure in said system.

9. In combination with a wheel, friction elements for braking rotation of the wheel andv therefrom. a drive betweenthe wheel and the 10 Number pump means whereby the pump means is operated upon rotation of the wheel, an overload clutch in said drive. a conduit for carrying coolant to the pump means, and a valve in said con ult controlled by the pressurein said system to pen 15 2,378,100

only upon the development of a given pressure in said system.

JOHN J. BLOOMFIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES-PATENTS Name Date 960.355 Levin June 7, 1910 1,059,222 Smith Apr. 15, 1913 2,102,181 McCormick Dec. 14, 193'! 2,127,557 Ells Aug. 23, 1938 Pogue June 12, 1945 

